Social security in Switzerland is based on a 3-pillar principle covering old age, death and invalidity. The basic state insurance (1st pillar) is supplemented by the obligatory occupational insurance (2nd pillar), and customized to individual needs by tax-privileged individual pension savings (3rd pillar).

Insurance Coverage                                                   Contributions

1st pillar: old age insurance: minimal assurance of financial assistance in old age and in cases of invalidity	AHV / IV	9.8% of salary paid half each    by employer and employee
2nd pillar: occupational insurance: Continuation after retirement of accustomed standard of living.	BVG	Equal contributions by    employer and employee.
3rd pillar: voluntary, individual supplementary retirement savings		Payable by the employee.

For more details see: Individuals/Social Security

or download the brochure Social Security in Switzerland